# Green Marine Collagen–Chitosan Composites with Biocompatible, Hemostatic, and Pro-Healing Performance

## TL;DR

This paper introduces sustainable wound dressings made from marine collagen and chitosan that promote healing and are safe for use.

## Contribution

The study develops a new composite material combining marine collagen and chitosan with enhanced wound-healing properties.

## Key findings

- Collagen-rich composites significantly improved cell proliferation and metabolic activity.
- The composites showed accelerated wound closure in scratch assays.
- Hemocompatibility and genotoxicity tests confirmed safety and reduced coagulation time.

## Abstract

Marine-derived biopolymers have emerged as sustainable
alternatives
to synthetic polymers for biomedical applications, offering both environmental
benefits and intrinsic bioactivity. However, the development of multifunctional
wound dressings that combine ecological sustainability with an enhanced
biological performance remains a key challenge. In this study, type
I collagen extracted from the skin of Micropogonias
furnieri was incorporated into chitosan matrices of
different molecular weights at 0%, 30%, and 50% to engineer composite
films for skin repair. Structural and physicochemical characterization
by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), polarized light
microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry
(DSC) revealed the preservation of collagen fibrillar organization
and a progressive disruption of chitosan semicrystallinity, leading
to more amorphous, flexible, and hydrogen-bonded networks as the collagen
content increased. Biological assays demonstrated high cytocompatibility
with L929 fibroblasts for all formulations with the 50% collagen composites
significantly enhancing metabolic activity and cell proliferation.
Redox analysis showed stable ROS levels and a moderate increase in
the level of RNS, suggesting a controlled oxidative environment conducive
to tissue regeneration. Functional performance was further confirmed
by accelerated wound closure in scratch assays, reaching nearly 90%
after 48 h for collagen-rich films. Hemocompatibility studies indicated
a reduced coagulation time without hemolysis, while genotoxicity assessments
confirmed the absence of DNA damage. Overall, the integration of marine
collagen into chitosan matrices yields sustainable, biocompatible,
hemostatic, and genetically safe biomaterials with enhanced regenerative
performance, highlighting their strong potential for advanced wound-healing
applications.